Last reviewed October 15, 2026 by Daryl Williams, Bentley Forbes Security Training Academy.
No. WMD training is no longer required for a California guard card. The Legislature made Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Awareness an elective only, BSIS put that into effect in its 2023 rulemaking, and state law says so directly in Business and Professions Code 7583.7.
That surprises a lot of people, because some national guides still list WMD as part of the required 8-hour course. Today, those 8 hours cover Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force. Below, we explain what changed, clear up a common mix-up about SB 652, show where WMD fits in your 40 hours, and walk you through checking the rules on the BSIS site yourself. For the full licensing process from start to finish, see our complete California guard card guide.
Key Takeaways
- WMD and Terrorism Awareness is elective-only for California guard card training under BPC 7583.7.
- The required 8 hours before registration are Power to Arrest (3 hours) and Appropriate Use of Force (5 hours), and the exam requires a 100% score.
- SB 652 didn't change WMD. Starting January 1, 2026, it requires a single course provider for the 8-hour course and completion within six months before you apply.
- WMD is elective #27 of 27 on the BSIS syllabus. You can still choose it for your post-registration hours.
- When a guide disagrees with the BSIS guard training page, trust BSIS.
The Short Answer: WMD Training Is Elective-Only
WMD training is optional for California security guards. The statute that sets the training rules lists the required topics "excluding Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Awareness, which may be an elective topic only" (BPC 7583.7).
The change came from the Legislature, which amended BPC 7583.7(a)(11) in AB 229 (Chapter 697, Statutes of 2021) to make WMD "an elective topic only." The Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) implemented it in its 2023 rulemaking, moving the 4 WMD hours to the electives to make room for use-of-force content within the 8 hours, as explained in the Bureau's Final Statement of Reasons dated September 20, 2023.
So you don't need a WMD certificate to register as a guard. If a school tells you otherwise, ask it to show you where BSIS requires it.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Please confirm current requirements with BSIS before you enroll or apply.
What Replaced WMD in the 8-Hour Course?
Appropriate Use of Force took its place. The 8 hours you must finish before registration are now Power to Arrest (3 hours) and Appropriate Use of Force (5 hours), and you need a 100% score on the exam, according to the BSIS guard training page.
Much of the use-of-force block must be taught in person. BSIS's regulation designates five of its topics as in-person (16 CCR § 643):
- Objectively reasonable force
- Use of force review and analysis
- De-escalation
- Use of force scenario training
- Active shooter
Use of force doesn't stop once you're licensed, either. Every guard needs 8 hours of continuing training each year, including at least 2 hours reviewing appropriate use of force (BPC 7583.6).
Did SB 652 Remove WMD Training? No
SB 652 had nothing to do with WMD. You'll see some websites claim it did, but that's a common error. WMD became elective-only through AB 229 in 2021 and BSIS's 2023 rulemaking, years before SB 652 was signed.
SB 652 (Chapter 94, Statutes of 2025, approved July 30, 2025) changed two things about the 8-hour Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force course:
- A single course provider. The course must be "administered and certified by a single course provider." BSIS's alert words it as "must be instructed in its entirety and certified by one instructor" (BSIS SB 652 alert).
- A six-month window. You must finish the course within six months before you submit your application.
These rules took effect January 1, 2026. In practice, you can't combine a 3-hour Power to Arrest certificate from one school with a 5-hour Use of Force certificate from another. An old certificate from more than six months before you apply won't work either. Private patrol operators can still train their own employees and applicants. For the full breakdown, read our SB 652 guard card changes explained.
Another law, SB 1203, will change guard training again. Governor Newsom signed it on September 30, 2026 (Chapter 1016, Statutes of 2026). Starting January 1, 2029, it raises post-registration training to 42 hours and annual training to 12 hours. It keeps the same 8-hour pre-registration course and doesn't change WMD's elective status (SB 1203). Our SB 1203 explainer covers what it means for new guards.
Where WMD Fits in Your 40 Hours of Guard Card Training
WMD is one of 27 electives you can use toward your post-registration hours. Your initial training totals 40 hours: the 8-hour course before registration, then 32 hours within six months after you're registered (BPC 7583.6). Starting January 1, 2027, SB 1148 also lets you complete those 32 hours before your registration is issued, once you've passed the 8-hour course (SB 1148). From January 1, 2029, SB 1203 raises the post-registration total to 42 hours, so the breakdown below reflects current rules.
Those 32 hours come in two parts. The first 16 hours are due within 30 days and include two mandatory courses. The other 16 are due within six months and include the remaining two mandatory courses. Electives fill the rest.
| Course | Status | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Public Relations | Mandatory | 4 |
| Observation and Documentation | Mandatory | 4 |
| Communication and Its Significance | Mandatory | 4 |
| Liability and Legal Aspects | Mandatory | 4 |
| Electives (from 27 options, e.g., WMD and Terrorism Awareness, #27, 4 hours) | Elective | Remaining 16 |
| Total post-registration | 32 |
Source: BSIS guard training syllabus (PDF).
If you pick WMD, it counts as 4 of your 16 elective hours. It doesn't add extra hours to your total. To plan your deadlines week by week, see our 40-hour guard card training timeline.
How to Tell If a Guard Card Guide Is Outdated
Some national guides still list WMD as part of the required 8 hours, even though state law made it elective-only and BSIS implemented the change in 2023. If a guide doesn't mention Appropriate Use of Force, treat it as outdated.
You can check the current rules yourself in a few minutes:
- Open the BSIS guard training page. Go to the BSIS guard training page and find the section on training before registration.
- Look for Appropriate Use of Force. The current 8 hours list Power to Arrest (3 hours) and Appropriate Use of Force (5 hours). If a guide never mentions use of force, it's probably outdated.
- Scroll to the elective list. WMD and Terrorism Awareness appears as elective #27. The PDF syllabus shows the same list.
- Read the statute. BPC 7583.7 states that WMD "may be an elective topic only."
- Check the school. Look up any training facility on Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) License Search by choosing the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
When Is WMD Training Still Worth Taking as an Elective?
WMD training is worth choosing when you expect to work at a site where terrorism awareness fits the job. You have 16 elective hours to fill anyway, so it makes sense to pick topics that match where you want to work.
WMD and Terrorism Awareness can be a smart pick if you're aiming for:
- Transit posts, like bus terminals, rail stations, or transit hubs
- Large venues, such as stadiums, arenas, concert halls, and convention centers
- Critical infrastructure, including utilities, ports, and similar facilities
- Government or high-profile buildings with public lobbies and screening points
- Large public events where crowds gather in one place
On the other hand, if you plan to work retail, residential, or a quiet office post, another elective may serve you better day to day. Some employers or site contracts may ask for specific electives, so it's worth asking a hiring manager before you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a WMD certificate to apply for a California guard card?
No. WMD and Terrorism Awareness is elective-only under BPC 7583.7. Before registration, you need the 8-hour Power to Arrest (3 hours) and Appropriate Use of Force (5 hours) course, with a 100% exam score.
Can WMD count toward my 32 post-registration hours?
Yes. WMD and Terrorism Awareness is elective #27 on the BSIS syllabus and counts as 4 of your 16 elective hours. You still need the four mandatory 4-hour courses.
Do I have to take the 8-hour course at one school now?
Yes, since January 1, 2026. Under SB 652, a single course provider must administer and certify the whole 8-hour course, and you must finish it within six months before you apply. Private patrol operators can still train their own employees and applicants.
Is WMD part of the annual 8-hour continuing training?
It isn't required. The annual rule calls for 8 hours each year, including at least 2 hours reviewing appropriate use of force (BPC 7583.6). WMD remains an elective topic only under BPC 7583.7.
Start Your Guard Card Training
If you're ready to get your guard card, start with the right 8-hour course. We teach the full Power to Arrest and Appropriate Use of Force course as a single course provider, which fits the SB 652 rules, and we also offer the complete 40-hour program. See the security guard training courses, call (818) 827-7142, or contact BFSTA with your questions.
Sources
- Business and Professions Code 7583.6 and 7583.7, retrieved 2026-10-15
- Power to Arrest Final Statement of Reasons, BSIS, September 20, 2023, retrieved 2026-10-15
- BSIS regulations, 16 CCR § 643, retrieved 2026-10-15
- Security Guard Training Requirements and training syllabus (PDF), BSIS, retrieved 2026-10-15
- SB 652 bill text, Chapter 94, Statutes of 2025 and BSIS SB 652 alert, retrieved 2026-10-15
- SB 1203, Chapter 1016, Statutes of 2026 and SB 1148, Chapter 1011, Statutes of 2026, retrieved 2026-10-15